Excerpt from Speech of W. O. Butler, of Kentucky: In Committee of the Whole, in Reply to Mr. Biddle and Mr. Hunt, Upon the Appropriation for Suppressing Hostilities in Florida, Delivered in the House of Representatives, June 11, 1840

Mr. Chairman: That I have not occupied this floor sooner, is an evidence of the reluctance I feel, in occupying it at all, a reluctance which is greatly increased from the reflection that the session is drawing to a close, and that I can hope to say nothing likely to compensate the country for the time I shall necessarily occupy. This consideration would certainly induce me to decline saying any thing on the present, occasion, were I not satisfied, that the session is to end, as it began, in speech-making.

Be this as it may, sir, I have now undergone what all will admit to be a reasonable noviciate in silence, and intend as brief a discussion of the Florida war question as I may find convenient. That this war is beginning to excite a deep, and a thrilling interest in the community, is not a matter of surprise, it has desolated our frontiers with a most unsparing hand for years, and although it in no degree threatens the general safety of the nation, it is but too well calculated to appeal to the sympathy of every heart not locked up against the voice of sorrow. It is moreover, sir, a war whose termination still lies hid, far in the dark inscrutable future. Like every other transaction of the times, this war, has been seized on by the Opposition party, in and out of this House, for the purpose of being moulded into political capital. It has been roundly asserted, that its operations have been such, as to reflect indelible disgrace upon the administration under which it has been carried on. As a friend, and a supporter of that administration, I have felt myself called upon to examine into the truth of this charge, and after having done so, I take it upon myself to say, in the presence of those who have made it, that it has no foundation in truth. I intend to re-examine it, in the presence of this committee, where the various laws, and most of the facts in relation to it, are within our reach, and where the touch-stone of truth may be readily applied. I congratulate the country, sir, that this hour has at last arrived. I congratulate the Opposition, that they are no longer compelled to yelp and snap at the shadow of this war, that they may now do that, as a matter of right, which they have heretofore only attempted by way of stealth, and I now call upon them one and all, to make good their charges, not by round and bold assertion, but by proof and argument. It would have evinced much more confidence in the truth and justice of their charges, had they have waited for this hour. It would have been much more creditable to themselves, and infinitely more just to all concerned, had they have imitated the notable example of Tam O'Shanter's wife, and nursed their wrath until the present time. But, I am aware, that this Opposition never condescends to act upon any but high and prudential considerations, I, therefore, take it for granted that some such consideration must have influenced their course in relation to this war. I presume, air, they found their patriot wrath too hot for nursing, and that they have been simply hoisting their safety-valves in advance, as the only means to prevent explosion. Certain it is, sir, that we have had many and most portentous sounds fix)m their escape-pipes in this hall.

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